AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI - 4-11-2020

As you know, your Union has been demanding greater safety protections for our New York and New Jersey members through more personal protective equipment, store safety devices, and practices. We reported on April 8, 2020 regarding saftey protections enacted by the state of New Jersey, which is still on the website.

We are now pleased to report that the state of New York has followed suit with a mandated Governor's policy regarding safety for food store workers, which parallells, for the most part, what was enacted in New Jersey.

The highlights of the New York mandate are as follows;

1. A 50% limit of the store's capacity on occupancy including workers.

2. A six foot social distancing requirement.

3. Face masks and gloves for workers provided to the employees where available.

4. Periods for cleaning and disinfecting of the stores.

Some companies in both New York and New Jersey will also be checking members' temperatures before work with an infrared, no-contact thermometer. Your Union views this practice as an aid to safety, helping to keep sick workers out of the stores and allow them to quarantine and get treatment.

The rules and regulations being enacted during this pandemic are changing by the day and we are doing our best to provide to you, the member, the important information. Continue to check the website and remember our Office Staff and Delegates are on the job to help during these deeply troubling times.